British Defence Liaison Staff Ottawa

British Defence Liaison Staff Ottawa / Pre-Arrival / Accommodation

Accommodation

Overseas Rental Allowance (ORA)

The Overseas Rental Allowance (ORA) is an allowance provided during overseas assignments to help cover accommodation costs.  

  • Duration: ORA applies for the entire length of your overseas assignment. 
  • Reference: Full details can be found in JSP 752. 
  • Contribution: When ORA is paid, you’ll still have a deduction on your Statement of Earnings (SoE) equivalent to standard SFA (Service Family Accommodation) or SLA (Single Living Accommodation) charges. 
  • Property Status: ORA properties are considered official accommodation (SFA/SLA), not private rentals. 
  • Rental Ceiling: BDLS FA will inform Service Personnel (SPs) of the maximum rent allowed under ORA. 

Tenancy Agreements / Leases

Once you have identified a property, forward a draft lease and property listing to the BDLS Finance Administrator for review. BDLS will ensure the lease meets MOD requirements and includes mandatory protection clauses. 

Lease Approval Steps 

  • Use a standard lease in English (not French). Request this from the landlord if necessary. 
  • Include exit clauses, particularly Clause A for short-tour scenarios. At minimum, the landlord must acknowledge your military status and accept a mobility clause.  
  • Confirm property restrictions: The house must not have a swimming pool or outdoor hot tub. 
  • Advance payment: First and last month’s rent is usually required upfront. BDLS can arrange this payment as you will not yet have a Canadian bank account. 
  • Send a draft lease for review before signing, along with the property listing, so BDLS can check for unusual inclusions.